Israeli spy's petition for early parole denied

Court rejects second petition by Nahum Manbar, jailed for 16 years for selling harmful information to enemy state and seeking early parole

Vered Luvitch|Published: 03.11.09 , 13:10

The Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday denied a petition filed by jailed Israeli spy
Nahum Manbar, to seek early parole.

Manbar was convicted of a slew of security offenses in 1998, including selling potentially harmful information to an enemy state, namely Iran,
aiding the enemy and hindering national security.

His subsequent trial, held entirely behind closed doors, found him guilty. He appealed his conviction to the Supreme Court, which ruled the conviction stands. He is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence.

This was his second petition for early parole, filed after he had already served two-thirds of his sentence. The Parole Board has ruled Manbar a danger to national security, stating he must complete his full sentence.

"I have paid my debt to society," he said in his petition. "I'm 62-years-old and I want to have a family… I have expressed my deep remorse for my actions. I do not challenge the courts (sentencing) decision and I take full responsibility for my actions."

The court explained its decision to deny the petition citing a psychological evaluation of Manbar, commissioned by the Israel Prison Service, which indicated that his personality did not demonstrate any significant changes. The IPS also stated that no significant changes have been noted in the circumstances of his confinement.

The court also considered a brief filed by former Shin Bet Chief Yaakov Peri, suggesting that Manbar in unlikely to pursue any espionage activities should his request for early parole be granted. Peri's position, noted the court, stood opposite to that submitted by the Shin Bet and the Mossad.